BrieflyNovember is a HUGE month for international test rugby. The major Southern Hemisphere international rugby teams begin their second rugby test. This weekend also sees the first leg of the 2011 Rugby World Cup repechage qualifying series between Romania and Uruguay.

New Zealand, Australia and South Africa continue their traditional European autumn tours, with tests against old foes Scotland, England and Wales respectively. Scotland is the only Northerner yet to step out onto the paddock. All three European teams will be fired up to take Southern scalps and pull back the 3-0 lead the southerners have over the Northern Hemisphere teams.

This round of November tests take on a special interest as the IRB assist Tier 2 nations in their build up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup Finals.

The Pacific Island teams of Fiji and Samoa will weigh in with efforts against Ireland and France respectively. Very tall orders for the Islanders although they should be near to full strength providing injuries haven't affected their European-based players.

South American teams add a flavour of their own to the Northern Hemisphere-Southern Hemisphere contests. Argentina takes on Italy whilst Uruguay begins their quest for a World Cup 2011 Finals place when they host Romania for the first leg of a two-test tussle.

Two North American rugby teams are also in Europe. Canada and The USA will face Iberian neighbours Spain and Portugal respectively